Accounting Operations Lead (Prin Prof) or Accounting Operations Program Manager

CU Denver; Aurora (CO); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental options

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

University of Colorado Anschutz Finance Office seeks an Accounting Operations Lead or Program Manager to oversee campus accounting operations, governance, and financial reporting, ensuring GAAP and GASB compliance and strong internal controls. Hybrid schedule with on-campus presence as needed.

This role involves supervising staff, developing workflows, and driving process improvements while collaborating with campus departments to support sound financial decision-making and responsible

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of GAAP and GASB requirements.
• Experience with financial reporting, reconciliations, and close activities.
• Ability to lead accounting operations and supervise staff.
• Experience with chartfield governance and financial controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead campus accounting support and provide accounting guidance.
• Review and approve complex transactions, journal entries, and chartfield changes.
• Manage financial reporting, reconciliations, and analysis; investigate discrepancies.
• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Provide technical accounting expertise and training to departments.
• Supervise accounting staff and support performance development.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

PeopleSoft

Workday

Oracle

SAP

Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Financial Services, Finance Office

Job Title: Accounting Operations Lead (Prin Prof) or Accounting Operations Program Manager

Position #: 673907 - Requisition #: 41285

Job Summary

The Finance Office is seeking a collaborative, analytical, and customer-focused accounting professional to join our team. This position provides advanced technical accounting leadership and professionally oversees key accounting operations within the Finance Office. At the principal level, this role will act as a subject matter expert for the Department and lead campus accounting support functions, including chartfield oversight; reviewing and approving complex accounting transactions; overseeing selected financial reporting, reconciliations, and close activities; and ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, university policies, and internal controls. This role serves as a trusted advisor to campus departments, strengthens service delivery through training and process improvement, and supervises one Finance and Accounting Professional. At the program manager level, this role will manage the day-to-day accounting functions and operations of the Finance Office. This includes managing chartfield governance, developing and implementing operational workflows, policies and processes, and independently supervising the accounting operations team. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, this role will make informed recommendations to leadership and effectively translate Departmental strategy into relevant long and short-term objectives for accounting operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the campus accounting support function, serving as the primary resource for accounting guidance, issue resolution, stakeholder consultation, and service delivery.
• Review and approve complex accounting transactions, journal entries, chartfield requests, and organizational structure changes to ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB requirements, university policies, and internal controls.
• Manage financial reporting, reconciliations, and analysis activities by investigating discrepancies, resolving complex accounting issues, monitoring financial activity, and ensuring the accuracy of financial records.
• Coordinate and perform month-end, quarter-end, and fiscal year-end close activities, including account analysis, accrual review, financial reporting, sales tax reporting, and resolution of outstanding items.
• Provide technical accounting expertise and consultative support to campus departments by interpreting accounting requirements, advising on financial matters, and delivering training on accounting policies and procedures.
• Supervise and develop accounting staff through coaching, work prioritization, performance management, quality review, and professional development support.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, strengthen financial controls, enhance reporting capabilities, and leverage technology and automation to increase operational efficiency and service excellence.

Work Location

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us

The Finance Office offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. As an Accounting Operations Professional, you'll work on complex accounting and financial management activities, partner with stakeholders across campus, and help shape processes that support effective decision-making and responsible stewardship of university resources.

Join a team that values expertise, innovation, and continuous improvement while providing opportunities to expand your technical accounting knowledge, develop leadership skills, and contribute to initiatives that enhance financial operations across the university.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Principal Professional Level

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.
• Three (3) years of professional accounting experience which includes financial reconciliations, financial analysis and reporting, journal-entry review, and month-end and fiscal year-end close activities.

Program Manager Level

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.
• Five (5) years of professional accounting experience including financial reconciliations, financial analysis and reporting, journal-entry review, complex problem resolution, and month-end and fiscal year-end close activities.
• One (1) year of professional experience supervising employees, including assigning and reviewing work, coaching staff, and supporting performance and professional development.

Applicants for both levels must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional accounting experience in higher education, government, the public sector, or another complex organization.
• Experience with an enterprise resource planning system such as PeopleSoft, Workday, Oracle, SAP, or a comparable financial system.
• Experience using financial reporting, business intelligence, or data analytics tools.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, strengthened controls, or workflow automation.
• Experience providing consultative financial guidance and customer support to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Prior experience or familiarity with University of Colorado financial systems, reporting tools, and administrative policies.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookup functions, data analysis, and reporting.
• Familiarity with University of Colorado financial systems, reporting tools, and administrative policies.
• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, fund accounting, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify trends, investigate discrepancies, assess risk, and resolve complex financial issues.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively in writing and verbally to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships with employees and stakeholders at all levels of the institution.
• Responsive, solutions-oriented customer service that balances stakeholder needs with accounting standards, university policy, and internal-control requirements.
• Sound judgment, discretion, accountability, and the ability to make well-supported decisions in areas of technical complexity.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to learn and effectively use new software, systems, reporting tools, and business processes.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, responsible use of technology, and an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.

Anticipated Pay Range

• Accounting Operations Lead (Principal Professional): $64,336 - $78,000
• Accounting Operations Program Manager: $67,133 - $78,000

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Questions should be directed to: Melodie Proffitt, [e-mail].